Heated lunch-box.



Patented Sept. 3, I90I.

, B. R. SKINNEB.

HEATED LUNCH BOX,

(Application filed Jan. .29. 1901.)

(No Model.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT .Q FTCE.

BURR R. SKINNER, OF OALMAR, IOWA.

HEATED LU NCH-BOX.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 681,991, dated September 3, 1901.

Application filed January 29, 1901. Serial No. 45,204. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BURR R. SKINNER,a citizen of the United States, residing at Oalmar, in the county of WVinneshiek and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Heated Lunch-Boxes; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification. 7

This invention relates to improvements in heated lunch-boxes.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a lunch-box with a heating-chamber surrounded by a number of receptacles so shaped that they may be nested one upon the other, so that the whole may be compact and the individual receptacles prevented from independent movement.

A further object of the invention is to so arrange the heater in relation to the other portions of the construction that there will be at all times a circulation of air throughout the box to properly ventilate the same.

A still further object of the invention embraces the idea of so constructing the heating-chamber that the burner, with its oil-reservoir,may be readily put in place or removed at will.

Other improved details in the arrangement and construction of the several parts of the box and heater will be apparent from the detailed description to follow and the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part hereof, an embodiment of the invention is shown for the sake of clearness in understanding the same, and when referring to said drawings like letters of reference refer to corresponding parts in both views.

Figure l is a vertical sectional view, and Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, A designates a bucket or box proper of any desirable construction, in the present instance preferably of substantially rectangular shape,provided with a bail or handle B and cover 0. The lower portion of the pail A is provided with a longitudinally-disposed opening D, adapted to receive a burner of any desirable type E. This open space is surrounded by the vertical walls c, connected at their upper portions by a plate 0. The side walls are made double, as shown in Fig. 1, to afiord an air-cooling space around the burner to prevent said side walls being damaged by excessive heat, the air circulating through the perforations c therein.

E designates an oil or fuel receptacle, connected by a pipe 6 with the burner. This receptacle is adapted to be inclosed and held in place by a pocket F, formed in the rear of the pail and access to which is permitted through the hinged door E.

In putting the burner and its oil-receptacle into place the burner is first inserted and the receptacle permitted to drop slightly to rest upon the bottom or shelf portion 6 of the pocket. By this arrangement the valve of the burner is at all times free to be operated from the outside, as will be obvious. This particular manner of confining the reservoir is not essential, inasmuch as the burner may be introduced from the end of the pail or from the top, Whichever may be found expedient.

The top plate a of the heating-chamber, together with inclined edges 0 of the side walls thereof, constitutes a support for a receptacle v G, designed to contain coffee or other liquid which in cooking requires direct heat. This receptacle may be provided with a bail, spigot, and an inlet opening, as well known in the art. The bottom of the receptacle is provided with beveled edges in order to snugly fit its "support and prevent any lateral movement thereof.

To the respective sides of the heating-chamber are arranged a series of elongated receptacles of a size to fit the respective compartments A A of the pail and designed to receive any food articles susceptible of being carried from place to place. The bottoms of these receptacles are made similar to the bottom of the receptacle G referred to, and their upper end portions are cut away, as at h, to permit the various receptacles to be nested in the manner shown. The receptacles are in this way compactly arranged and prevented from independent movement, so that any rattling of the parts, which might otherwise be incidental to a construction of this character, is avoided.

It will be appreciated that in lieu of the coffee-receptacle any one of the other receptacles may be temporarily employed when it is desired that direct heat be applied thereto.

Adapted to rest upon the upper edges of the receptacles are two somewhat broader, but relatively shallow, receptacles g for the reception of pies, cakes, bread, and the like.

At the ends of the receptacles and also in the top suitable perforations 00 0c, respectively, are provided for ventilating purposes, those in the top being surrounded by a flange or collar '5, over which fits a cup I.

The construction herein will be found of great service in the colder regions, where the lunch is very liable to freeze, but may also be employed for the more ordinary purpose of cooking articles where stoves of the usual types are neither desirable nor accessible.

In line with the heating-chamber one side of the body portion is provided with a bullseye K, so that the construction may be utilized as a lantern should the occasion require.

Provision should be made for the escape of the products of combustion from the chamber D, and for this purpose I form, preferably at the end of'the chamber above the bullseye, suitable apertures d.

Having thus described my invention, what is claimed as new, and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is

1. A lunch-pail comprising a body portion and a double-walled heating-chamber, said chamber dividing the body portion into compartments A, A the walls of the heatingchamber being perforated at difierent levels to induce the circulation of a cooling agent therethrough, and suitable receptacles in said compartments, substantially as described.

2. A lunch-pail comprising a body portion and a double-walled heating-chamber, said chamber dividing the body portion into compartments A, A the walls of the heatingchamber being perforated at different levels to induce the circulation of a cooling agent therethrough, a plate having inclined edges connecting the upper portions of the walls and adapted to constitute a support, and suitable receptacles in the respective compartments designed to rest upon said support, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

BURR R. SKINNER. lVitnesses:

E. R. Ao-nns, R. F. GIBSON. 

